Abstract

The interaction of feeding practices, infections and growth in a young child manifests in early life in terms of malnutrition, increased morbidity and mortality. Several studies have shown that breastfeeding in early life protects young children against infections and promotes nutrition and growth particularly in the developing countries.1–11 However, in situations where breastfeeding is the accepted predominant mode of feeding the young children, faltering in growth and with a high incidence of infections, particularly diarrhoeal diseases, are still observed.7–8